1.—5

XV

■"except where the country is high, rocky, sandy, or scrubby," in order to insert "unless in exceptional cases."—Carried. And the words were so inserted. Paragraph 6, as amended, was carried. Paragraph 7 : Mr. Lance moved, To erase in line 25 the words "of a most conclusive ■character."—Carried. Also in same line to insert, after " 1884," the words " which showed most ■conclusively."—Carried. Mr. Cowan moved, To omit the word "numerous" in line 28, and insert "some."—Carried. Also in same line to strike out " effectually settled the difficulty," and to insert "been successful —Carried. Also to insert " some" in lieu of " most " in same line.—Carried. Hon. Mr. Menzies moved to erase " absolutely " in line 29. —Carried. Paragraph, as amended, carried. Paragraph 8 agreed to. Paragraph 9 : Mr. Lance moved, To omit " all must admit should be made absolutely imperative," for the purpose of inserting "is indispensable."—Agreed to. Paragraph 10 agreed to. Paragraph 11 agreed to. Paragraph 12 agreed to. Paragraph 13: Mr. McKenzie moved, To insert the word "any" between "that m ' and "parts" in line 47. —Carried. Also in line 51 to insert, after "levied," "for the purpose of administering the Rabbit Nuisance Act, and." —Carried. Also in same line to insert, after" within," the word " their."—Carried. Also, after " districts," to insert the words " and within districts."— Carried. Mr. Buchanan then moved the following resolution: "That no power be given to demand pound for pound from the Government by districts already infested by rabbits."—Carried. The Committee then adjourned till next (Saturday) morning at 10.30 o'clock a.m.

Satubday, 17th July, 1886. The Joint Babbit Nuisance Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 o'clock a.m. Present: Legislative Council — Hon. G. E. Johnson (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr Peter, Hon. Mr. Eobinson, Hon. Mr. Walker, Hon. Mr. "Williamson. House of Representatives —Mr. Cowan, Mr. Lance, Hon. Mr. Larnach, C.M.G., Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. McMillan, Captain Russell. The minutes of the two preceding meetings were read and confirmed. Consideration of report resumed. Paragraph 13: Mr. J. McKenzie moved, To rescind the resolution passed the previous day on Mr. Buchanan's motion, " That no power be given, &c."—Carried, and resolution rescinded. Also to strike out praragraph 13, with a view to insert a new one.—Carried. Also that the following new clause be inserted : " The Committee is of opinion that, if the ratepayers in any one or more counties in the colony express, by petition to the Governor, that they are desirous of having the control and administration of the Rabbit Nuisance Act placed in the hands of Trustees elected by themselves, such request should be granted, and such Trustees should be empowered to levy rates for the purpose of doing such things as are now done by the Government in connection with the Rabbit Nuisance Act; and also for the purpose of the erection of wire-netting fences, or for any other protective works which may be considered necessary by such Trustees either in reducing or preventing the spread of the rabbits ; and that they should assist local efforts by granting a subsidy to the extent of a pound to every pound raised by local rates, and spent in the administration, destruction, or spread of the rabbits; subject, however, to the supervision of the Government Inspector; and on condition that, in case of failure to exclude or destroy the pest, the administration of the Act should be resumed by the Government, and the powers of the Trustees should be withdrawn.'' —Carried. Paragraph 14: Hon. Mr. Menzies moved, To strike out in line 58 the words " vested in," and to insert " reserved from sale, and placed under the control of." —Carried. Line 58 : Mr. McMillan moved, To insert, after " enter," the words " and to spend its funds."— 'Carried. Also to insert, after " reserve," the words " under its control." —Carried. Hon. Mr. Williamson moved, To strike out all the words in lines 60, 61, 62, 63.—Carried. Paragraph 14, as amended, agreed to. Paragraph 15 read and agreed to. Paragraph 16, line 3 : Mr. Lance moved, To insert, after the word " question," the following: " namely the efficiency of the past administration of the Act." In line 34 : Hon. Mr. Menzies moved, To strike out "it is with much regret that the Committee finds itself compelled to reply emphatically in the negative." —Passed in the negative. Also in line 4 to strike out "indorse," and to insert " reaffirm." —Carried. Paragraph 16, as amended, agreed to. Paragraph 17 agreed to. Paragraph 18, line 22 : Hon. Mr. Larnach moved, To strike out " every class of," and to insert ■" many parts of the."—Carried. Also in line 23 to strike out "at a moderate cost."—Carried. Paragraph 18, as amended, agreed to. Paragraph 19 : Hon. Mr. Peter moved, To strike out the paragraph. —Carried. Paragraph 20, line 27: Hon. Mr. Larnach moved, To strike out the word " earnest."—Carried, In line 28 : Hon. Mr. Peter moved, To strike out "by circular."—Carried. Paragraph 20, as amended, agreed to. Paragraph 21, lines 31, 32 : Hon. Mr. Larnach moved, To strike out all the words from "altogether " down to "they," both inclusive.—Carried.